Isaac getting ready for landfall, a lot of rainfall forecasted

Good Morning! At Smithville, MS, the current temperature is 67 and it feels like 67. Highs will continue to range between 83 and 90 with lows between 64 and 72. There is a 30% chance of isolated thunderstorms today, a 60% chance of scattered thunderstorms/wind on Wednesday, an 80% chance of thundershowers/wind on Thursday, and a 70% chance of thunderstorms on Friday. These rains will likely be with Isaac. Main threats from Isaac will be heavy rain, flash flooding/flooding, high winds, and isolated tornadoes. Rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches will be likely with locally 4+ inches possible. Winds will begin to increase today. Could see winds 25-35mph with gusts near or above 40mph. At the Regional Rehab Center in Tupelo, MS, the current temperature is 71 and it feels like 71. Today’s high is 92 with a low of 72 and windy. Wednesdays high is 88 and a low of 73 with a 60% chance of scattered thunderstorms/wind.

Now, for your tropical update. In the Atlantic, we now have Tropical Storm Isaac. Winds are at 70mph with a pressure of 977mbars. Movement is Northwest at 12mph. Expected to become a hurricane by later today. Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for most of the Florida Panhandle and a little part of Louisiana. Hurricane Warning in effect from Destin, Florida back to New Orleans, Louisiana. Hurricane Watch is up for a little part of Louisiana. Tropical Storm Watch is up for a part of the Louisiana Coastline back to near the Louisiana/Texas Border. As of now, path of Isaac has changed and has it making landfall late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning on the coasts of Louisiana/MS. In the Atlantic, area of low pressure centered about 1120 miles West-Northwest of the Cape Verde Islands is producing an area of showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions are only marginally favorable for development over the next day or so. The National Hurricane Center is giving this system a medium chance, 30%, of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours as it moves West-Northwestward to Northwestward at 10-15mph. In the Atlantic, disorganized showers and thunderstorms accompany a tropical wave moving off the West coast of Africa. Environmental conditions are conducive for some gradual development of this disturbance during the next couple of days. The National Hurricane Center is giving this system a low chance, 10%, of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours as it moves Westward at about 15mph. In the Eastern Pacific, Tropical Storm Ileana has formed. Winds are at 45mph with a pressure of 1000mbars. Movement is West-Northwest at 12mph. Expected to become a hurricane late Tuesday or Wednesday. Not a threat to land.

Hope yall are having a great Tuesday and I'll have another post tomorrow morning.

Nice report John. Hope your area is not hit too bad from Isaac. As you state, I think your greatest danger would be from "spin-up" tornadoes from the storm. By the way, Isaac has slowed to about 6mph. as of the 7AM CDT. report. Looks to be getting better organized, I think it will be a Min. Hurricane by 11AM.